SEAHAWKS FANTASY NEWS

March 8, 2006 4:00 PM ET

All things considered, it was a pretty nice run for a franchise that hadn't won a postseason game in 22 years prior to this season. The Seahawks ran away with the NFC West, locked down home field advantage, and then barged into the Super Bowl behind league MVP Shaun Alexander, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, and an underrated yet extremely efficient defense.

Unfortunately for Seattle fans, the Super Bowl didn't produce the desired outcome, and the Hawks entered the offseason on the brink of being dismantled. Once Alexander agreed to an eight-year, $62 million deal, however, the rain cloud that seems to hang in perpetuity over the city appeared to lift.

With Alexander under contract and guard Steve Hutchinson designated as the transition player, the Seahawks will bring back the vast majority of the major contributors to last season's run. Will that be enough to snap the curse of the Super Bowl loser, which has claimed five consecutive victims?

Needs
The Seahawks left the Ford Field turf wondering not only if Alexander had played his last game for the club, but also if a key member of the unit that helped him set an NFL record for rushing touchdowns in a season—Hutchinson—would be gone as well.

Slapping the transition tag on Hutchinson ensures that Seattle will at least get the opportunity to compete for his services, and there should be enough cap room to reward him for his efforts without gutting the roster.

Alexander made the smart move in returning, if for no other reason than their line (assuming Hutchinson sticks around) is among the best in football. The good news is that all elements—both starters and depth—should be back in the fold, with Hutchinson tagged and Wayne Hunter a restricted free agent. That line would have made any back look good—and a talented one such as Alexander that much better.

While Alexander is under contract, the Seahawks will be in the market for backfield depth. Alexander's caddy, Maurice Morris, is an unrestricted free agent and expected to seek a starting gig elsewhere, and fullback Mack Strong can test the market as well. The club will make a serious run at getting Strong, among the league's best lead-blocking fullbacks, to reprise his role in front of Alexander.

Seattle's other needs fall primarily in the "depth" department. Starting wideouts Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram and tight end Jerramy Stevens are back, but each of their understudies—Joe Jurevicius, Peter Warrick, and Ryan Hannam—are UFAs. Jurevicius will draw plenty of attention on the open market, and after the season he had with Jackson sidelined the Hawks may not be able to afford him. If they're not comfortable with D.J. Hackett, Maurice Mann, Alex Bannister and Skyler Fulton, they may turn to the draft for assistance.

They may also want a veteran presence behind Hasselbeck. Seneca Wallace is an RFA, and David Greene is still a project, so the options are live dangerously and hope Hass stays healthy or buy the insurance in free agency.

Special teams could become an offseason focus for the Seahawks, as kicker Josh Brown is an RFA and punter Tom Rouen a UFA. Neither was especially strong during the postseason, which could mean the Hawks have one or two new specialists by the time 2006 kicks off.

The defense, retooled via both free agency and the draft last year, should return intact. Linebacker Jamie Sharper was a cap casualty, but rookie Leroy Hill was solid in his place after Sharper went down with a knee injury so the loss won't be overly painful. Several reserves will be able to shop their wares around the league, but outside of retaining tackle Rocky Bernard and safety Marquand Manuel, who subbed for the injured Ken Hamlin much of last year, this side of the ball won't require much attention.

Salary Cap Situation
The Seahawks are approximately $12 million under the projected $94.5 million salary cap for 2006, according to ESPN.com's John Clayton.

Unrestricted Free Agents
RB Maurice Morris, FB Mack Strong, WR Joe Jurevicius, WR Peter Warrick, TE Ryan Hannam, G Steve Hutchinson (transition player), DT Rocky Bernard, DT Rodney Bailey, DE Joe Tafoya, LB Kevin Bently, CB Kevin House, CB Jimmy Williams, S Marquand Manuel, S John Howell, P Tom Rouen

Restricted Free Agents
QB Seneca Wallace, WR Jereme Urban, T Wayne Hunter, K Josh Brown

Free Agent Signings
None.

The Draft
Who the Seahawks target with the 31st overall selection will be entirely predicated on what free agents they retain. The loss of Jurevicius and Warrick could shift the focus to Chad Jackson or Sinorice Moss; if Bernard leaves they may look to Mathias Kiwanuka for help in rushing the passer; and if Manuel doesn't return the target could be Ko Simpson or Darnell Bing.

The team could also target linemen in a very deep draft at that position, stockpiling strength for the inevitable day when Jones retires. An interior player like Nick Mangold or Max Jean-Gilles would be a solid investment for a club intent on remaining atop the league.

It's unlikely the Seahawks will find themselves forced to pick for need, leaving them the luxury of drafting the proverbial best player on the board. Making wise decisions with such selections is how good teams stay on top.

Injury Watch
A knee injury kept Jackson off the field for 10 games, but he returned for the playoffs and reminded everyone why he received a six-year, $25 million contract with a solid postseason. He should be rested and ready for the coming season. The other Seahawk coming off a significant injury is Hamlin, who was assaulted outside a Seattle nightclub and suffered a fractured skull. He sat out the final 10 regular season games and the entire postseason, but he remains optimistic he'll be back on the field for the 2006 season. With his backup an unrestricted free agent, the Seahawks will need to be thoroughly convinced of Hammer's health before they let Manuel depart.

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